Sunday, 28 January 2018

January wild camp

We've had a couple of really busy weeks, filled with various appointments of one kind or another. Frustration's been setting in. Both Chrissie and I have an ambition to wild camp every month this year. I've failed by one month for the past two years. So, fueled by this daft idea, we set out, last Friday, with the pups and our mahoossive Terra Nova Polar Lite 3, up to a quiet-spot-not-too-far-from-home, on the driest day for at least two weeks. There follows some random, disjointed thoughts to come from this briefest of sojourns.

It's a while since we camped with both Pebbles and Islay together. Over a year I think. They've both matured significantly. Those who've met 'em know they can be excitable, but they both sat, chewing a hide thingy, whilst we put up the tent, with only the slightest of barky-type objections. And they both happily settled to well over 12 hours in the tent without any fuss at all. I've learnt my lesson in not tiring Islay out when carrying her panniers, and kept her on the lead. Both of them are content staying on leads on some walks anyway, when appropriate. We we were quite cheerfully impressed with our precious pups' behaviour. We love 'em!

For the first time, I wore just the fleece from my Paramo Bentu combo (see review here), it being relatively mild anyway on the way out. I wore it over a thin Paramo baselayer and was comfy in around 7C with no wind. I did don my windproof Bentu outer when we stopped to filter water en route though. The following morning was rainy but once home I removed the combo to find the Montane Allez I then had on underneath was bone dry, being free from damp sweat even on my back. Impressive.

Our new Skywatch Explore 2 told us it was down to just above freezing overnight. Mild for January. But we were quite warm enough in our 3 season bags. I wore my new Montane Prism insulated trousers in the tent for the evening. Very cosy.

It'd been our first camp together since last year's Arctic trip and we spent a comfortable night in our packable palace. We camp together so infrequently, mainly due to our hesitation at taking both hounds, but there are plans to take them out with us again next month. Watch this space.

We sometimes forget how lucky we are to be able to walk from our door to a wild camp. We do take it for granted. We're blessed...living in a lovely place, on the edge of the wilds, being healthy and sharing our lives with two daft, but lovable dogs.

Brilliant Geoff, excellent write up. Good to se the pups growing up and maturing in to two splendid hill going dogs. Lovely photos too.Am thinking I must get a bit more camping in. Currently am continuing with the swimming.

Our previous hound considered his lead a noxious form of torture, only to be endured when there was absolutely no other choice. Frankly, taking him out for a walk where he couldn't run free was unpleasant at times . . .

Our current pup was (we believe) abandoned in her previous life, and as a result sticks to me like Velcro. She positively ~loves~ being on a lead, when she's clipped on I can see her demeanour change. I know I am anthropomorphising but I believe she finds comfort in the "umbilical".

Thanks Jayne. I've made more of an effort walking Islay on the lead than I did with Tilly, my previous lab and its paying dividends now. She loves to run (don't they all) but is content to walk close on a lead.

I think it's great that you have this on your doorstep Geoff. It's good just to blow the cobwebs away at short notice every now and then. The dogs are looking fit and well. And Chrissie, all cosied up as usual doing her social media suff I'm guessing....lol. Good luck with the monthly wildcamps mate. I look forward to some great pics throughout the year. Take care......Andy.

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